Abstract: A device suitable for molding ophthalmic lenses comprises two spaced mold parts in face-to-face relationship inside a cylindrical sleeve. One or both parts comprise a rigid supporting base, a molding die of an elastically deformable material and an intermediate pad of an incompressible elastic material disposed between the base and the die and completely covering their respective surfaces.

Abstract: As in the conventional manner for molding an optical component, a molding cavity is used in combination with a relief chamber with which the molding cavity can selectively communicate. There is no communication between the relief chamber and the molding cavity while the latter is filled. The molding cavity is then placed in communication with the relief chamber. Subsequently, relative displacement of the relief chamber and the molding cavity parallel to the axis of the combination interrupts such communication. The optical component thus molded may be of any kind, such as an optical lens, specifically an ophthalmic lens.